For Prospective Members & Parents

Welcome to the fraternity and sorority community at the University of Virginia!

For over 160 years, our fraternities and sororities have offered a values-based experience that focuses on scholarship, leadership, service, and brother/sisterhood. Since the establishment of our first chapter in 1852, the fraternal community has grown to support 60 chapters which are governed by four distinct councils. Currently, membership in our fraternity and sorority chapters encompasses 29% of UVA’s undergraduate population (over 4,400 students!).

Fraternity and sorority members enjoy not only the brotherhood and sisterhood inherent to membership in these organizations, but also a heightened focus on and increased opportunities for leadership and personal development, scholarship, and philanthropic service. In fact, during the Fall 2013-Spring 2014 academic year, fraternity and sororities reported the following:

Completing over 56,000 hours of community service;

Raising over 400,000 dollars for charitable and philanthropic causes;

Achieving an all fraternity/sorority GPA of 3.3.

Each fraternity and sorority is also committed to cultivating its members beyond the classroom through leadership and personal development opportunities. Each chapter is student-run, and overseen by a governing council. Fraternity and sorority chapters at the University manage their own finances, properties, events, internal affairs, and communication with the University and greater Charlottesville community.

Staying Involved

After your student has joined a fraternity or sorority, there are still ways that parents and family members can stay involved:

Learn about the fraternity/sorority by visiting the chapter’s website and the official website of the fraternity/sorority headquarters.

Review the fraternity/sorority mission, values, and tenants of membership.

Encourage your student to take advantage of chapter services, leadership opportunities, and scholarships.

Encourage your student to attend educational programs in the chapter and on the Grounds.

Find out the details of the financial obligations of the fraternity/sorority.

Encourage your student to take a leadership role in his/her chapter.

Attend chapter events such as Parent’s Formal with your student.

Know the grade requirements for new and active members.

Anyone with concerns about hazing and the well-being of our students is encouraged to contact the Office of the Dean of Students/Fraternity & Sorority Life directly at ask-fsl@virginia.edu or 434-924-7430. Additionally, you can call the hazing hotline at 434-924-HAZE(4293) or visit the new hazing website. Reports of Hazing will be handled with discretion and expediency to ensure the well-being of our students. For more information about hazing, visit the Policies and Resources page of our web site.